australopithecus robustus
Học thuậtThân thiện
An anthropologist carefully examines a fossil skull of Australopithecus robustus.
Definition
- Proper noun:
- A species of early hominin: Australopithecus robustus is the scientific name for an extinct species of bipedal hominin characterized by a robust skull, large jaws, and massive molar teeth adapted for chewing. It lived in southern Africa approximately 1.5 to 2 million years ago.
Usage
- The term is used exclusively as a proper noun in paleoanthropology and related scientific fields to refer to this specific fossil species.
- It is often discussed in the context of human evolution, comparative anatomy, and the Pleistocene epoch.
Examples
- Proper noun:
- The discovery of Australopithecus robustus fossils provided key evidence for dietary specialization among early hominins.
- Researchers debate whether Australopithecus robustus represents a distinct genus, sometimes called Paranthropus.
Advanced Usage
- The species is frequently contrasted with the more gracile (slender) .
- In some taxonomic classifications, it is referred to as , placing it in a separate genus from other australopithecines.
Variants and Related Words
- Robust australopithecine (n): A descriptive common name for and its close relatives (e.g., ), emphasizing their heavy build and large teeth.
- Paranthropus (n): The genus name sometimes used synonymously with and similar species.
Synonyms
- (scientific synonym)
Related Terms
- Hominin (n): A member of the taxonomic tribe Hominini, which includes modern humans, extinct human species, and their immediate ancestors like .
- Pleistocene (n): The geological epoch, often called the Ice Age, during which lived.
An anthropologist carefully examines a fossil skull of Australopithecus robustus.
Noun
- large-toothed hominid of southern Africa; from 1.5 to 2 million years ago; formerly Paranthropus